Grand Parenting

Grandparents are very important people in children's lives. There have been many changes in the last fifty years or so which make grandparenting a whole new ball-game. If you look at a picture of grandparents from the 1950s, or earlier, it is likely to show a grey-haired old woman with her knitting or a bald headed old man with a stick. This was a stereotype, with little relevance to reality even then.

Being a grandparent is a very special role. It brings an opportunity to do for your grandchildren what you may not have been able to do for your own children.

New Statutory Declaration for Grandparents as Informal Carers

The NSW Government has introduced a new system that will make it easier for relatives such as grandparents who informally care for children to provide consent for day-to-day activities in the absence of the parents. For example, they may need to enrol the child in school or consent to them attending a school excursion or receiving medical and dental treatment. For more information, please visit Lawlink.

What grandparents can do for grandchildren

Spend time with grandchildren in a busy world - time to have fun, time to explore the world and time to just be together.

Give grandchildren love (without the responsibility of being a parent). Grandfathers, in particular, may not have had the time to spend with their own children in the way that they can now give to their grandchildren.

Keep the family history alive. Help grandchildren to know where they fit in the world by telling stories about the family history. Tell them stories about their parents when they were young.

Keep the family networks alive. Keep in touch with family members.

Let the family know about old family traditions as the family grows and changes and new traditions are built. You can help to keep the best of the old, as you and your family work out new ways to manage celebrations, holidays and birthdays.

Give security and protection - especially at times when there are family problems. Grandparents can be there for the grandchildren to support and protect them, like a 'safe haven'.

Build grandchildren's self-esteem by taking a personal interest in them. Children are lucky when they have close ties with a grandparent as well as with their parents.

(Community Services, 2009)

Handy resources and links

Grandparenting - NSW Department of Community ServicesThere have been many changes in the last fifty years or so which make grandparenting a whole new ball game. This website is a resource point for grandparents who are raising grandchildren in NSW, focusing on legal and financial matters. A useful site to gain information on support groups in NSW, education, childcare and respite. Information includes a grandparenting guide- please click here.

Baby Boomers' Life ChangeThis website provides information,ideas and support to grandparents, including changes for today's grandparents, expectations of grandparents, distance grandparenting, what grandparents can do for grandchildren and grandparents raising grandchildren.Grandparents raising grandchildren NSW